India’s Memorable All-Time Test Wins from Gabba to Oval

India’s Test team has always had moments defined by remarkable skill and collective brilliance to deliver memorable victories. Some of these victories end long droughts abroad or help defend India’s formidable record at home. These chapter-defining victories boosts India’s profile as one of Test cricket’s most iconic nations in history.

Let’s check out some of India in Whites most iconic Test wins over the years.

1. Gabba Win (India in Australia, 2020/21)

India went into the Gabba encounter from November 2020 to January 2021 amid uncertainties triggered by COVID-19. Cricket fans had their sights set on the Brisbane Cricket Ground, popularly called The Gabba.

India locked horns with their hosts during the 4-Test series and recovered from underwhelming totals to clinch a 2-1 series win.

2. Victory in the Caribbean (India in West Indies, 1970/71)

India went through a tough encounter against an established West Indies outfit in 1971. The side were able to tame a packed Windies squad that included the likes of legendary Garfield Sobers and other top players. India in Whites managed a 1-0 win in the 5-match series after bagging four straight draws.

Batting heroics from the iconic Sunil Gavaskar ensured India walked away series winners. Gavaskar smashed home 774 runs throughout the series at a 154.8 average across four Test matches played. He also bagged four tons and a double hundred during this spell to announce his arrival onto the world stage.

India in Whites also relied on significant support from their spin department to ensure Windies batters stayed ineffective throughout the encounter. The-then India Test captain relied on spin sensations like Venkataraghavan, Prasanna, and Bedi to keep the Caribbean hosts at bay while Gavaskar wreaked havoc with the bat.

3. Border-Gavaskar Triumph (Australia in India, 2000/01)

India hosted Australia during the 2000/01 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test meeting. The home Test squad were able to dismantle a formidable Australian lineup to etch their name in long-format cricket history.

Steve Waugh led the Aussies to India on the back of 16 consecutive Test victories. India shrugged off the mammoth appearance of Australia ahead of that Test and posted a 2-1 series victory to break their winning streak.

A lethal combination of batting prowess from VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid coupled with wicket-taking prowess from Harbhajan Singh ensured Australia’s record ended at the series.

4. Triumph in Sri Lanka (India in Sri Lanka, 2015)

Virat Kohli debuted as Test captain during India’s series against Sri Lanka. His debut as long-format skipper coincided with the side’s first victory over the hosts in Tests since 1993. Kohli rallied his teammates from August to September 2015 to secure a 2-1 victory for India during the 3-match series.

India in Whites had to deal with a first match defeat after the Galle encounter before registering remarkable victories in Colombo to clinch the series.

The series exhibited India’s wealth of talent and youth as lethal hitters like Cheteshwar Pujara stole the show. Other players like Ajinkya Rahane compounded Sri Lanka’s woes, and India’s spinners took advantage of slow tracks available to exert more damage.

India’s series win against Sri Lanka in 2015 ended a 4-year drought away from home while showcasing Kohli’s leadership prowess in long-format cricket.

5. Historic Victory at the Oval (India in England, 1971)

India’s first-ever Test series win on English soil came in September 1971. The squad locked horns with a dogged English side and came out eventual winners after a tough challenge. India won the series 1-0 and delivered a superb performance at the Oval to ensure they secured victory against their arch-rivals.

Captain Ajit Wadekar relied on India’s seamers and spin bowlers to keep the English hitters out of sorts for the entire series. Dilip Sardesai also stepped up with vital runs as India ended their 87-year wait for an away series win over England.